This project develops digital weaving techniques with earth-fiber composites to create structural lattice structures.

Traditionally, textiles for wearables and architectural building interiors utilize mostly natural fibers; however, with the introduction of petroleum and synesthetic yarns, manufacturing practices have been shifted to synthetic fiber reinforcement that produces a higher carbon footprint, uses limited resources, and is not biodegradable. Looking at ubiquitous natural resources, this line of research investigates the use of geo- and bio-based raw materials as new sources of lattice textiles and structures through a range of weaving practices. Geo-materials include clay-rich soils and other geological products; biomaterials include vegetable fibers and other biopolymers and polysaccharide additives.

Working with advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing, this work categorizes weaving practices, followed by extrusion experiments using earth-fiber additive mix-designs. The results are investigated for their structural integrity on planar-level extrusions for sustainable and versatile axial flexibility transformations.